Welcome to Your Psychotherapist
Psychotherapy can help treat challenges and symptoms relating to mental health and
emotions.
Want A Call Back?
coaching
Psychotherapy
Kids & Parents
Webinars
What is
Psychotherapy?
Also known as talk therapy, psychotherapy aims to help a person understand their feelings and equip them to face new challenges, both in the present and the future.
Psychotherapy is similar to counselling, and the two can overlap. However, the former tends to look more deeply, addressing the underlying causes of a person’s problems as well as how to solve them.
To see positive results, a person will usually need to understand the need for change and be willing to follow the treatment plan as the specialist advises. They will also need to find a suitable therapist they can trust.
Psychotherapy can help when depression, low self-esteem, addiction, bereavement, or other factors leave a person feeling overwhelmed. It can also help treat bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and certain other mental health conditions. People often, but not always, use both psychotherapy and medication.
What to expect
There are many approaches to psychotherapy.
Some forms last for only a few sessions, while others may continue for months or years, depending on the person’s needs. Individual sessions usually last for around 45–90 minutes and follow a structured process.
Sessions may be one-to-one, in pairs, or in groups. Techniques can include talking and other forms of communication, such as drama, storytelling, or music.
A psychotherapist may be:
- A psychologist a marriage and family therapist
- A licensed clinical social worker
- A licensed clinical professional counsellor
- A mental health counsellor
- A psychiatric nurse practitioner
- A psychoanalyst A psychiatrist
Who Can Benefit?
Also known as talk therapy, psychotherapy aims to help a person understand their feelings and equip them to face new challenges, both in the present and the future.
Psychotherapy is similar to counselling, and the two can overlap. However, the former tends to look more deeply, addressing the underlying causes of a person’s problems as well as how to solve them.
To see positive results, a person will usually need to understand the need for change and be
willing to follow the treatment plan as the specialist advises. They will also need to find a suitable therapist they can trust.
Psychotherapy is similar to counselling, and the two can overlap. However, the former tends to look more deeply, addressing the underlying causes of a person’s problems as well as how to solve them.
To see positive results, a person will usually need to understand the need for change and be
willing to follow the treatment plan as the specialist advises. They will also need to find a suitable therapist they can trust.
Get A Membership
Fill In The Form To Join Our
Membership!
Types of Psychotherapy?
There are several styles of and approaches to psychotherapy. The sections below will outline
these in more detail.
Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) helps a person understand and change how their thoughts and behaviours can affect the way they feel and act.
CBT can help people with many issues, including:
- Depression anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Eating disorders
- Low self-esteem
Interpersonal therapy
Under this approach, a person learns new ways to communicate or express their feelings. It can help with building and maintaining healthy relationships.
For example, if someone who responds to feeling neglected by getting angry, this may trigger a negative reaction in others. This can lead to depression and isolation.
The individual will learn to understand and modify their approach to interpersonal problems and acquire ways of managing them more constructively.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy
Psychodynamic therapy addresses the ways in which past experiences, such as those during childhood, can impact a person’s current thoughts and behaviours. Often, the person is unaware that this influence is even present.
Identifying these influences can help people understand the source of feelings such as distress and anxiety. Once they identify these sources, the psychotherapist can help the person address them. This can help an individual feel more in control of their life.
It is like psychoanalysis but less intense.
Family therapy
Family therapy can provide a safe space for family members to:
- express their views
- explore difficult feelings
- find solutions to problems
- understand each other
- build on existing strengths
This form of psychotherapy can be useful when problems stem from family relationships, or when a child or young person is facing difficulties.
In fact, one 2019 article suggests that family therapy may help adolescents with mental health problems. It may also improve family cohesion and enhance parenting skills.
Relationship therapy is another type of psychotherapy. It is very similar to family therapy, but a person may instead wish to present to therapy with their partner to address issues within a relationship.
Group therapy
Group therapy sessions usually involve one therapist and around 5–15 participants with similar concerns, such as:
- depression chronic pain
- substance misuse
The group will usually meet for 1 or 2 hours each week, and individuals may also attend one-on-one therapy.
People can benefit from interacting with the therapist but also by interacting with others who are experiencing similar challenges. Group members can also support each other.
Although participating in a group may seem intimidating, it can help people realize that they are not alone with their problem.
Online therapy
Many people are now opting for online therapy, otherwise known as telehealth. This can have many benefits, especially for someone who:
- has mobility problems
- cannot find a suitable specialist in their area
- does not feel comfortable with face-to-face communication
- has difficulty fitting therapy into their schedule
Tools include video meetings and messaging services.
Although online services have helped “normalize” psychotherapy, making it easier to integrate into daily life, a person should check carefully before choosing a provider.
For example, they should consider:
- the qualifications and experience of the therapist the online and
- other security measures the provider has in place using a company
- that psychologists run and that has links with professional associations
Effectiveness
Each person’s experience of psychotherapy will be different, and the time it takes to see an improvement will also vary.
Some people will notice a difference after around six to 12 sessions, while others may need ongoing treatment for several years.
Psychotherapy can help a person by:
- Have a desire to participate engage actively in treatment Attend appointments and
- Complete any assignments between sessions
- Be honest when describing symptoms and situations
Participants can:
- Have a desire to participate engage actively in treatment Attend appointments and
- Complete any assignments between sessions
- Be honest when describing symptoms and situations
To benefit from the process, a person needs to:
- Have a desire to participate engage actively in treatment Attend appointments and
- Complete any assignments between sessions
- Be honest when describing symptoms and situations
Effectiveness can also depend on:
- Have a desire to participate engage actively in treatment Attend appointments and
- Complete any assignments between sessions
- Be honest when describing symptoms and situations
A good therapist
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the qualities of a good therapist include such factors as:
- A psychologist a marriage and family therapist
- A licensed clinical social worker
- A licensed clinical professional counsellor
- A mental health counsellor
- A psychiatric nurse practitioner
- A psychoanalyst A psychiatrist
Choosing a suitable therapist
People seek psychotherapy for a wide range of reasons, and each individual is different. Providers should have training in dealing with a wide range of situations, but some can meet more specific needs.
For example, a practitioner may specialize in counselling for survivors of sexual abuse.
A person who has experienced trauma due to race, sexual orientation, or human trafficking, for example, will need to find someone who understands where the person is starting from. They will also need appropriate training.
After identifying a therapist who seems suitable, the individual should ask plenty of questions before starting therapy to make sure that this is the person they want.
A doctor, online community, or local support group can often recommend a suitable therapist.
Learn about how mental health issues can affect Black communities and what to do here.
Our Happy Clients
Read all the reviews and testimonials. Look our clients/patients says about our quality
of service.
of service.
It’s been a difficult couple of years for me and accessing the support I needed. Your Psychotherapist helped me to acknowledge that there were issues I need to address, helped when I was at work in getting me through the day and during my recovery.
Stuart
CEO London Stock Exchange
5/5
Your Psychotherapist really helped me overcome the fear and anxiety I was experiencing because of an upcoming job interview. The session was so informative and professional. I’ve never walked into an interview with so much confidence and I have Your Psychotherapist to thank for a huge part of that.
Lily
Candidate for Manager job interview
5/5
It’s been a difficult couple of years for me and accessing the support I needed. Your Psychotherapist helped me to acknowledge that there were issues I need to address, helped when I was at work in getting me through the day and during my recovery.
Stuart
CEO London Stock Exchange
5/5
Risks and Cautions
Psychotherapy can offer many benefits, but there are some cautions to be aware of before
starting. The following sections will outline these in more detail.
starting. The following sections will outline these in more detail.
Unhelpful therapy
Most people feel better because of therapy, but it can take time to work — and
sometimes, the approach the therapist takes is not suitable. In fact, according to some
research, around 10% of people feel worse after starting therapy.
Some experts have expressed concerns about potentially harmful therapies. These could
be techniques that leave a person feeling worse rather than better or approaches that
may slow an individual’s progress.
Some approaches may not have enough research evidence to support their use. In some
cases, the approach or “chemistry” between the individual and the therapist may not be
suitable.
However, if the practitioner monitors the person’s progress regularly and asks for
feedback, the risk of therapy not working or having a negative impact will be lower.
Unexpected effects
During psychotherapy, some people may experience changes they had not expected or did not want.
Recalling past events can sometimes trigger unwanted emotions. Addressing and resolving these emotions is an integral part of therapy, but it can be challenging.
It is essential to find a trusted and qualified psychotherapist who is skilled at guiding people through these situations in a constructive way.
Using an interpreter
Not everyone can find a psychotherapist who speaks their primary language. This can
pose a challenge for people who are already at a disadvantage in society.
One option is to find an interpreter, but it is essential to find someone who understands
the complex issues that treatment is likely to involve.
Ideally, the person should also have the skills and training necessary for managing the
specific dynamics the relationship will involve.
Cost in time and money
Psychotherapy can be expensive and time consuming. This is another reason that it is
essential to find a qualified practitioner.
If a health professional considers treatment necessary, the Mental Health Parity Act
requires that insurance companies pay for mental healthcare in a similar way to paying
for physical medical care.
It is worth noting that the definitions of “reasonable and appropriate” or “medically
necessary” may vary.